2013 mazda mazda3 Reviews and News

2013 Mazda Mazda3

By
Automobile Magazine
- 06/18/2013

New For 2013

The Mazda 3 receives numerous small changes for 2013, including a redesigned automatic transmission shifter, and the Skyactiv engine becomes available on i Sport sedans. Blind-spot monitoring becomes standard on the Grand Touring trim level, and push-button start is now standard on the Touring and Grand Touring. The Mazdaspeed 3’s mirrors, spoiler, and rear diffuser are all painted black, and the car gains a USB port and gunmetal eighteen-inch wheels. The Bluetooth system can now read and take dictation of text messages.

Overview

Last year, Mazda updated the 3 by adding a thrifty Skyactiv 2.0-liter engine that can return as much as 40 mpg on the highway. The efficiency has been a hit with customers, who opt for the Skyactiv setup in more than three-quarters of all 3s sold. Even before that update, the Mazda 3 was fun to drive, well constructed, and practical. Only base i SV models come with a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 148 hp and returns 33 mpg on the highway. The 2.0-liter Skyactiv engine offered on i Sport, i Touring, and i Grand Touring models is the best option for most drivers. Its 155 hp is plenty for normal driving, and highway fuel economy ranges from 38 to 40 mpg. There is an optional 2.5-liter engine with 167 hp, but its brisk acceleration is accompanied by poor fuel economy. The 3 can be well equipped with options befitting larger cars—rain-sensing wipers; swiveling, automatic bixenon headlights; a Bose ten-speaker sound system; navigation; and a blind-spot monitoring system. Both hatchbacks and sedans are roomy inside and stylish outside. Driving enthusiasts can opt for the hatchback-only Mazdaspeed 3, although the turbocharged car can be a bit rough-and-tumble for everyday driving. Offering four engines and two body styles might seem excessive, but having choices is rarely a bad thing for customers.

Safety

Standard features include front, side, and side curtain air bags, along with ABS, traction and stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive, swiveling bixenon headlights are optional.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has issued its annual "Car Wars" analysis of the automotive industry, and we've found a couple of gems found within the 2014-2017 industry roadmap. Most notable is that ML has included an image of what looks to be the 2015 Mazda 3 hatchback. EDIT: That's not the case, as the image was apparently lifted from a Carscoop rendering.

The Russians have made dashcam videos famous, but even before our comrades created the video meme, police departments in the U.S. started employing video cameras on its patrol vehicles and officers to protect themselves, as well as citizens from abuses and false accusations. Today, we get a perspective of a rural high-speed chase from the vantage point of the officer. Of the three videos on the Florence, Alabama Police Department YouTube channel, this one is the runaway hit with over 2 million views since it was posted last week.

With the 2014 Mazda 6 on sale and the 2014 CX-5 starting to roll into dealerships, the spunky automaker from Hiroshima is now turning its attention to its best seller, the Mazda 3. According to a new report, the third-generation 3 is due in dealerships as soon as this fall.

calculator

Change the values below to adjust your monthly payment. All default values are based upon national averages.